“I founded Isambane Energy with the aim of providing access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy to underserved communities across South Africa…”

South Africans have been facing the challenges of loadshedding for several months, with regular power cuts disrupting daily life, impeding economic growth, and impacting the livelihoods of millions of people.royalbet

The recent announcement by Eskom of an 18.65% tariff increase for municipalities effective July 1, 2023, has only added to citizens’ frustration.

While politicians, senior energy sector stakeholders, analysts, and activists continue to debate and fight over what is happening at Eskom and the effect of loadshedding on citizens, Thobile Nyawo, a young philanthropist and serial entrepreneur of Isambane Energy, is offering a solution that ordinary citizens can adopt to deal with this ongoing crisis.

The serial entrepreneur, Thobile, has been actively working on renewable energy solutions that can help South Africans mitigate the impact of loadshedding and create a more sustainable future.

In an exclusive interview with SA POSITIVE NEWS Thobile Nyawo revealed some of the operational intricacies of Isambane Energy.

When asked about the admirable journey to becoming an entrepreneur and founding Isambane Energy, Thobile said: “Growing up in a rural village in South Africa, I witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of unreliable electricity on our communities. I saw how this lack of access to energy prevented people from achieving their full potential, hindering economic growth, and perpetuating poverty. This motivated me to pursue a career in renewable energy and ultimately led me to establish Isambane Energy in 2011.”

“I started my career as an electrical engineer, working for various companies in the energy sector before deciding to start my own business”.

“Initially, I began by providing energy consulting services to small businesses and households. But I soon realized that there was a need for a reliable and affordable solar selling business in South Africa. So, I founded Isambane Energy with the aim of providing access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy to underserved communities across South Africa”, said Nyawo.

Thobile is adamant that there’s a niche market for a solar selling business in South Africa.

“As an civil engineer, I worked on many projects in rural areas where people were not connected to the grid. It was clear to me that the grid was not going to reach these areas anytime soon. I saw the need for reliable, clean energy that could power households and small businesses, and solar energy was the obvious solution. This need, coupled with my passion for renewable energy, inspired me to start Isambane Energy.”

The world of business and entrepreneurship is not a walk in the park. There are endless challenges and setbacks one encounters along the way. Starting and growing Isambane Energy has been daunting for this talented, young and gifted black woman.

“One of the biggest challenges has been financing the growth of the business. Access to capital is a significant challenge for most entrepreneurs, and it was no different for me. Another challenge has been educating potential customers about the benefits of solar energy, especially in rural areas where people are often hesitant to adopt new technologies. We have had to be creative in our marketing efforts and find ways to demonstrate the value of our products and services”, she said.

 Isambane Energy has impacted the communities it serves in South Africa in an unimaginable way.

“The company has had a significant impact on the communities we serve in the country. We have brought reliable, clean energy to thousands of households and small businesses, enabling them to improve their quality of life and increase their economic opportunities. Our products and services have helped to reduce the dependence on expensive and unreliable grid electricity, allowing our customers to save money on their energy bills. Additionally, we have created jobs and training opportunities in the communities we operate in, helping to stimulate local economies”, said Nyawo.

 Isambane Energy is in a league of its own. It really has that competitive advantage over other solar energy companies in the market.

“At Isambane Energy, we pride ourselves on being a customer-centric company that puts the needs of our customers first. We believe in providing personalized service and support to our customers, ensuring that they receive the best possible experience. We also differentiate ourselves through our commitment to social impact, working closely with communities to understand their needs and provide energy solutions that address those needs”.

In conclusion, Thobile Nyawo shared with SA POSITIVE NEWS a particularly difficult decision she had to make as the founder of Isambane Energy.

“One of the most difficult decisions I had to make as the founder of Isambane Energy was deciding to expand our operations to other countries. It was a risky decision, as we had limited experience operating outside of South Africa, and we were unsure if our business model would be successful in other markets. However, we recognized the potential for growth and impact in other African countries, and we decided to take the risk. It has been a challenging journey, but we have been able to make a positive impact in other African countries, and we continue to explore new opportunities for expansion”.

The future is certainly bright for this young, black and gifted businesswoman. Keep soaring Thobile Nyawo. We recognize you. We celebrate you.

When Eskom switches off the lights. Thobile Nyawo has our back!!!

By Sinenzolo Mondi – Nduku